From cheering on the sidelines to leading DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America), Ensiya Jiwani loves to be involved at Lambert High School. As a junior at Lambert, she has spent the past two years making a significant impact towards school spirit and is determined to make the next two even better.
Jiwani is very committed to Lambert DECA, as the Vice President, and she has played a big role in contributing to the club through organizing and planning meetings, competing in events and managing the members.
“I’ve been in DECA since sixth grade, so it’s definitely been a big part of my life,” Jiwani emphasized. “DECA has helped me grow because it’s given me a lot of skills that I need, like public speaking and confidence.”
Jiwani has competed in DECA every year since eighth grade, and she made it to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) last year in Orlando, Florida. ICDC is an international competition where students are tested on their knowledge in marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship. Students have to place in both state and regions for DECA in order to qualify for ICDC, so it is a huge accomplishment for her to have made it that far.
Along with being a part of DECA and HOSA (Health Occupations Students Of America), Jiwani also supports the Lambert Football team and hypes the student section as a cheerleader. The cheer team meets for practice every Wednesday, where they do cheers, practice their game day routine and do band dances/stunts.
“I’ve been cheering since I was in fourth grade, so I can’t imagine my life without it,” Jiwani mentioned. “Through Lambert cheer, I was able to have a new found love for every part of it, and cheering at the games with my friends is genuinely the highlight of my week.”
Jiwani’s position in cheer as a base provides support for the stunts performed, and she ensures that flyers get back on the ground safely. She enjoys the environment that cheer surrounds her with and has a big passion for it.
“When you involve yourself at Lambert, it makes school more fun and gives you a sense of place,” Jiwani said.
Jiwani believes students should involve themselves in clubs that they enjoy–not only for their college application, but because advisors will see that and can tell if they are really interested in what they do. Jiwani learned that from her older sister and Lambert alumna, Diya Jiwani, who now is a student at UC Berkeley. Her sister’s success motivated her to be active within the school.
“Advice that I would give to students who want to be more involved at school is to talk to people who are involved…the biggest thing someone has told me is to find your role model and just copy them,” Jiwani stated.
As an upperclassman now, Jiwani encourages students to find their passions and pursue them. Jiwani has grown so much through doing what she loves at Lambert and hopes to spread that sense of fulfillment through her peers.
